The West Valley’s city council races are tight this election season, with some candidates trailing just a few hundred votes behind the leaders — leaving the seats open to change with hundreds of thousands of uncounted ballots remaining. In the contentious race for Cupertino City Council, Councilmember Kitty Moore and former Planning Commissioner R “Ray”...
Silicon Valley cities get funding for ride-share service
Multiple Silicon Valley cities are raking in money for micro-transit programs, which transit advocates say is critical for areas with sparser public transportation. Sunnyvale has secured a roughly $4.2 million grant from the California State Transportation Agency to cover about half the cost of a micro-transit pilot program for at least five years beginning next year....
Campbell police use cameras to combat retail theft
A West Valley police department is one of the first in Santa Clara County to target organized retail theft by monitoring businesses’ surveillance cameras — just as voters decide if thieves should receive more punishment statewide. The Campbell Police Department has launched a program that allows businesses to share their live security footage once they call...
Will Cupertino City Council’s majority flip?
Two opposing candidate duos are trying to nab the two available Cupertino City Council seats to have power over one of the city’s most divisive issues — development. Councilmember Kitty Moore and former Planning Commissioner R “Ray” Wang, want to flip the existing development-friendly council majority, while Councilmember Hung Wei and former Mayor Rod Sinks...
Controversial West Valley school superintendent leaves district
An embattled education official has made a hasty exit from a West Valley school district, following months of community strife that left parents and students feeling unheard. Los Gatos-Saratoga Union High School District Superintendent Bill W. Sanderson will resign June 30 for “personal reasons,” following lengthy community unrest over his leadership style, according to a...
Cupertino candidates talk housing, budget before election
The next iteration of the Cupertino City Council is slated to make significant decisions about housing and the budget. Candidates recently shared their perspectives. Cupertino voters attended a candidate forum last Wednesday hosted by San José Spotlight, where six of the seven city council candidates fielded questions about public safety and The Rise, the city’s largest...
Los Gatos roadwork critical to student safety
A key Los Gatos school intersection in need of safety features is getting long-awaited renovations this fall. Los Gatos has begun building sidewalks and buffered bike lanes along a 0.3-mile stretch of Shannon Road between Cherry Blossom Lane and Los Gatos Boulevard. Portions of the stretch are missing sidewalks and protected bike lanes even though it’s...
Money flows into Cupertino City Council race
One mid-sized West Valley city’s council race is raking in cash, in what some residents are dubbing a high-stakes election with divisive housing issues on the table. The Cupertino City Council race has brought in about $222,000 among seven candidates vying for two seats in a city of about 60,000 residents, according to election data...
Meet the candidates running for Campbell City Council
Campbell voters are slated to choose a fresh councilmember this November, with housing among the top issues. Two spots are up for grabs on the Campbell City Council in Districts 1 and 2. Candidates Juan Rodriguez and Terry Hines are vying for the open District 1 seat, with Mayor Susan Landry terming out in December. Vice...
Silicon Valley city must pay after removing campaign signs
Cupertino election signs have been mysteriously disappearing, but it’s not the work of disgruntled residents or political opponents. It’s the city. Maintenance workers in Cupertino’s public works department removed and threw out more than 15 election lawn signs last week for Cupertino City Council Candidates R “Ray” Wang and Councilmember Kitty Moore — signs placed...